The pilot who shot down the most jet-crafts in air-to-air combats

The pilot who shot down the most jet-crafts in air-to-air combat is Col. (Res.) Giora Even (Epstein), from the Israeli Air Force (the IAF). He made this achievement by blasting 17 jet aircrafts (16 fighters, and 1 helicopter (all Egyptians) during dogfights). Due to the secrecy of the IAF pilots (kept for their own security), his identity was kept secret from most people-even from the Guinness Book of World Records, which claims that the record holder is an American who downed only 16 aircrafts (Joseph C. McConnell). Recently, his whereabouts became worldwide known, and he is acknowledged for his achievements in Wikipedia and the Israeli Air Force website.